Meter-switch.



H. w. BROWN.

v METER SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28,1911.

1,171,586. Patented 1611.151916.--

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

K l l E TTURNEY H. w. BROWN.

- METER SWITCH. APPLICATION FlLED JUNE 28.1911.

1,171,586. 1 Patented Feb.15, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES:

INVENOR M www THE COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH vC0.. WASHyNu'roN. D. c.

' H. w. BROWN.y

METER SWITCH.

APPLICATIGN `FILED JUNE 28,1911.

1, 171 ,586. l Patented Feb. 15, 1916.`

f v 5 SHEETS-SHEET s. Eig. 5. Eig. 8a., Ebg. 10.

F33 v18@ 35'l A as 18 1.9 31 19' 19 V8@ 19 1 G l e3 '5F/ Gag Zz 31?@ @LlNvENTOR 'j AT'TQRNEY THE COLUMNA PLANOGRAPH co1. wAsHING;r0N. D. C

H. W. BROWN.

METER SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 23,19II.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4- 1,171,586. I n Patented 11910151916.

g1 I 19 f G18 v G l @-19 I Q 30 1 v1 G30 ZZ' wnNEss'Esr MQW - ATTORNEY'THE COLUMBIA PunjlouRAPH co1. WASHINGTON, DA c.

II. w. BROWN.

METER SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED IuNE 28,*I9II.

@Mwe/I LUM INVENTOR mow LA!) GRAF CU.. WAS

" "Connections of a singlel ammeteror otherY instrument that it-may beutilized to suciifNiTEn sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

i HAROLD W. BROWN, 0F WILKINSBURG, lPENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TOWESTINGHOUSE METER-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Een. i5, 191e'.

Application filed June 28, `1911. Serial No. 635,907.'

To all 'whom z'zmag/ conce/m:

"Be it known that I, HAROLD W. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the'county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have in.- vented anew and useful Improvement inMetenSwitches, of which thefollowing is 'a specification. l* l Myinvention relates to meter switches or controllers, and particularly tosuch switches as are adapted to Sdchange the lcessively measure thecurrents, for other quantities pertaining to different circuits yor theseveral phases of a polyphase elec-l vtrical circuit. i y o The objectof my invention is'to provide permit of successively associating asingleY meter with several circuits or phases of a circuit, kor ofentirely Ydisassociating it from all of them, as desired.

The invention is illustrated in they accom-V i panying drawings, Figure1 of ywhich is a `plan and sectional view, Fig. 2 is a verticalsectional view, and Fig. 8 is a View, in front elevation `and insection, of a device'that is constructedin accordance therewith. Fig.

4 `is a view, in elevation Vand in section, of certain of the rearportions ofthe switch.

Fig. y5. is a rear elevation of the switch.

` Figs. 6 to 14a, inclusive, are'di'agrammatic views illustratingVvarious uses, connections and positions of the switch. Fig. 15y is adiagrammatic view of a modified form of the switch, and Figs.v 16jand 17are diagrammatic viewsl of still further `modica- Y tions andapplications ofthe switch.

Y to which it is secured by means of screws Asthe switch is particularlyadaptedfor use with switchboard instruments, it is' shown as mountedupon a switch-board 1,

2 that project through the board and va washer 3 upon its front face andinto'one leg of an inverted U-shaped bracket 4 upon the rear oftheboard.4 Rotatably'mounted in the legs of the Ueshaped-bracket 4, is arod or shaft 5 lthat extends nearly through` the switch board panel ,1land'is provided in its inner end witha slot 6. A part of v tension 10`that partially occupies a corresponding opposite `recess in the segment,9. The vadjacent segments are, therefore, of

Vzig-zag, contour andmay be said to partially overlap.

` In order to accentuate the positions of the shaftl 5 and segments 8and 9, which constitute the switch drum, a laterally projecting pin 12is secured in the rear end of the shaft 5 and thus constitutes a boss.or

projection that is adapted to loccupy. recesses 13 in the inner face ofthe rear leg of the U-sliaped bracket 4, the recesses 13 correspondingto the various positions-of the drum. As the shaft 5 is rotated and Vthepin4v 12 moves from onerecess intol another,

' the shaft is given a slight longitudinal or yaxial movement which isopposed by a heli'- cal compression spring 14 that is interposed betweenthe front leg of the U-shaped bracket 4 kand a collar 15 upon theshaft.l The -pin 12 is thus resiliently forced into the recess .13 andthe various positions of the controller drum are thereby accentuated.

The degree of rotation of the controller l drum may be limited by screws16 and 17 that are threaded in the rear legrof the U-shaped-bracket 4and are' interposed in he path ofmovement of the pin 12 to constitutekstops therefor. rlhese stops, how ever, may be omitted in someinstances, as their use is not always necessaryor desirable, as willbehereinafter more fully explained. f Y The drum segments 8 and 9 are'adapted tov be engaged -by a iplurality of contact fingers or terminalmembers 18 19, 20, 21 and 22, respectively, that are secured to, butai'e insulated from, the U-shaped bracket .4, and are each provided witha clip 23 for permitting of convenient connection thereof to circuitconductors.

The terminal member .18 is adapted to engage onlythe segment 8 and theterminal member 20 isadapted to engage only the segment 9, whereas, thevremaining terminal members 19, 21 and 122 are disposed adjacent to theoverlappingr portions, of the said segments, and are, accordingly,adapted to engageeither ofthem, according kto idov and 21 are spacedapart a less angular distance than the angular width of the eX-A tension10 of the segment 8, so that they may accordingly engage the samesimultaneously. However, no other two terminal members may engage thesaid extension simultaneously, because they are spaced too far apart.

T he shaft 5 and controller drum are actuated by a knob 25 upon thefrontof the switch-board, which knob is secured, by means of a pin 26, uponone end of a tube 27 having a plurality of apertures for the receptionof a pin 26, in order that the actuating device may be adapted fordifferent thicknesses of switch-board panels. One end of the tube 27fits over the front end of the shaft 5 and is provided with a transversepin 28 that extends into the slot 6 in the end of the shaft 5. The tube27 may also be provided with a plurality of apertures for the receptionof the pin 28 to provide further adjustability for different thicknessesof switch-board panels. Secured to the rear face of the knob 25, is aplate 30 having position-indicating numerals or other marks upon itsfront face and two notches in its edge that register with screws 31 whenthe controller drum is in its off or initialposition, the said 'screwsserving to prevent removal of the actuating device when the controllerdrum occupies other positions. By reason of this arrangement, and alsoby reason of the peculiar arrangement of conne@ tions, one ammeter orother instrument may be employed in connection with a plurality ofcircuits and switches, as, by providingr but a single operating handlefor all of the switches, the instrument can then be used with only onecircuitV or switch at a time.

The manner in which the device is used in connection with an ammeter 38or other instrument is shown diagrannnatically in Figs. G to 14;,inclusive, in all of which the annneter 33 or other instrument isconnected to terminal members 18 and 2O and is adapted to be connectedin the secondary circuit of one or more series transformers that areconnected in the proper phases of polyphase circuits.

In Fig. 6, the device is shown as used in connection with a two-phasecircuit having a primary winding of a series transformer in circuit withone conductor of each phase, terminals of the secondary windings of thetransformers being connected together and to the terminal member 20, andthe remaining terminals of the said secondary windings beingrespectively connected to terminal members 19 and 22. The positionswhich the controller drum should occupy for the measurements of thecurrents of the respective phases are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6a.

In Fig. 7, the Vseries coils of alwattmeter are introduced in theconnections of the secondary windings of the series transfrnmers to theterminal members 19 and In Fig. S, the device is shown as employed inconnection with a three-phase three-wire circuit having the primarywindings of two series transformers in circuit respectively with twoconductors thereof. Terminals of the secondary windings of a seriestransformer are respectively connected to terminal members 19 and 21,and the remaining terminals are connected together and to terminalmember 20. The positions of the controller drum for the measurement cithe currents of the respective phases are shown in Fig. Sa. Thearrangement of connections shown in Fig. 8 is adapted for use inconnection not only with three-phase three-wire systems, but also withtwo-phase three-wire systems when it is desired to measure the currentin the return circuit conductor.

A wattmeter may also be used when the device is employed in connectionwith a three-phase three-wire system or a twophase three-wire system, asshown in Fig. 9, the series coils of the wattmeter being simply includedin the connections between the secondary windings of the seriestransformers and the terminal members 1f) and 21.

If, in addition to an ammeter in connection with a three-pha three-wiresystem. or a two-phase three-wire system, it is desired to use a powerfactor meter having a polyphase current winding, or any other instrumentin which the secondary circuits of the series transformers areinterconnected, the. arrangementof the connections may be as shown inFig. 10, in which terminals of the secondary windings of the seriestransformer are respectively connected to terminal members 19 and 21, asbefore, and the remaining terminals are connected to the terminals ofthe power factor or other meter, instead of directly to each other, athird te"- minal of the power factor meter being connected to terminalmember 2O of the switch. It will, of course, be understood, in this casethat the equivalents of the connections pre Viously made are made withinthe power factor meter, itself.

A switch may also be employed when relay devices, that are adapted tooperate circuit breakers or other apparatus, are supplied from thesecondary windings of series transformers connected in Z-rclation; thatis, when they are connected in delta with one of the legs of the deltareversed with respect to its usual relation. Such a system ofconnections is shown in Fig. 1l, in which a series transformer isemployed in connection with each conductor of a three-phase threewirecircuit, three transformers being necessary only by reason of the use ofthe relays and for supplying them only, as the meter is supplied fromonly twoof them. l Fig. 11a

- currents of the-respective phases of the said i'Vv v'addition to theammeterin .connection with a tliree-phase foiir-wire circuit and thecircuit. f i

In Fig. 13, .a `wattmeter isfeinpl-oyed in positions of the controllerdrum for the measurement ofthe currents of the respective phases of thecircuit are shown in Fig.

"134. Vith this arrangement ofconnections,

the stop screws 16 and 17 should be em` ployed in order'to prevent theterminal member 21 from alone engaging the eX- tension 10 of the segment8, as, otherwise, the ammeter would be overloaded.

Fig.y 14 illustrates thearrangement of connections when Vrelay devicesare, em-

ployed in connection with a three-phase four-wire system, and lthesecondary windings of the series transformers are connected inZ-relation. Fig. 14a illustrates the positions of the switch drinn forthemetering kof the currents of the phases.

It will Abe noted, from all of. theabove arrangements of connections,that, when the controller drum occupies its off position, the secondarycircuits of allof the series transformers lare short circuited throughthe segment 9 of the drum, but, as the drum is moved from the oneposition to theother, none of the secondary circuits are interrupted,the `meter being introduced into thezsecondary circuits while thecontinuity of the same is maintained. Except in the cases specilically;mentioned, the stop screws 16 and 17 for limiting the angle of movementof the/drum maybe omitted.

In most cases, .a somewhat -more simple form Vof switch maybe employed,such, for

instance, as that shown in Fig. 15, in which` 'the lateral extension ofone of the segments is lof such width and theterminal members `are sospaced that .the said extension may be f readily runderstood from thevconnections applicability. l

shown for the other switch, it only beingV necessary to state that theswitch of Fig. 15` Vis not adapted for use'when the secondary vBy vtheuse of two switches mounted end to end, or otherwise arranged to beoperated simultaneously or., preferably, by combining the segments in asingle switch in such a manner as to give substantially the samearrangement andfdisposition of parts, the present switch may be adaptedfor connecting the current coils of a polyphase wattmeter in thecircuits of series transf formers that .are associated with a pluralityof polyphase circuits, substantially as shown in Fig. 16. In this case,theswitch comprises three segments 40, 41 and 42, the segments and 42being provided with opposite lateral" projections v43 that extend towardeach other into corresponding lateral 'notches or recesses in the member41. The

segments 40, y41 and 42 are respectively c0ntinuously engaged by contactterminalsA 44, 45 and 46 thatv are connected tothe proper terminals oftheseries yor current coils of a polyphase wattmeter 47. The terminal,member 45 is also connected to av common terminal of the secondarywindings of series transformers 4S that are associated with the properconductors of `a plurality of polyphase distribution circuits 49 yand50, the remaining terminals of the said secondary windings beingconnected to stationary contact` terminals 51, 52, 5.3 and 54, all ofwhich normally engage the segment 41. The memfbers 51 and 53 areinterposed in the path of movement of the projection v43 of the segment40, and the members 52 and 54 are similarly interposed in the path ofmovement of the lateralprojection ofthe segment 42 and,in certain of thepositions of the switch, engage the said' projection.

It will be seen that, when the projections 43 engage with segments 51and 52. the current coilsof the wattmeter are associated with thecircuit 49, and, when the said projections engage the members 53 and 54,the said current coils 'are associated with the circuit 50. Any suitablemeans maybe employed,such as that shown and covered in a co-pendingapplication, for associating the voltage or shuntcoils of the wattineterwith the circuits 49 and 50 at the proper times, either two switches ora single switch being employed as desired. `However, when the'wattnietei` is to be associated Lwith a plurality of feeder circuitsthat are Vfed from common bus-bars, the. voltage terminals of thewattmeter may be connected directly to the bus-bars.v v

lf it is desired to measure the watts of a circuit with thecurrenttraversing the series j terminals that are interposed in the pathof movement ot the projections pertaining to one ot the segments, andthe two terminals ot the secondary winding oi the other transformer tothe remainiiig contact members. It will be understood that, when theprojections pertaining to the segments engage one pair ot' the terminalmembers to wnich the secondaries et the series transformers areconnected. currents traverse the series coils of the wattmeter in onedirection, and that, when the other pair ot' terminal members is engagedby the said segments, currents traverV i the series coils in theopposite direction. The switch ot Figs. l to lll, and also of Fig. l5,may also be adapted Jtor reversing the current in the current or seriescoil ot' any instrument in a manner similar to that illustrated in 17.

.lt will, oiI course, be understood that the switch here shown anddescribed is not liniited in its application to use only with anp metersand wattmeters, but may be employed in connection with any meters orother instruments having current or series coils, or coils adapted toreceive currents proportional to currents traversing circuits, and thatarrangement of the terminal members and of the connections o1" theswitch other than those sjieciiically illustrated may be employedwithout departiiig from the spirit of the invention` and l desire thatall such' modii'i ations should be included within its scope.

l claim as my invention:

l. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, terminal membersrespectively engaging the said segments, and three sidelily-sideterminal members that may eiigage either o'li two of the segments butonly two ot which may simultanmiusly engage one of them.

A switch comprising adjacent conduct ing segments, means for n'iakingconnections respectively to the said segments, and three unetjuallyspaced terniinal members that may engage either ot two of said segmentsbut only two oi which may simultaneously engage one of them.

A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments. terminal membersrespectively engaging the said segments, and other unequally spacedterminal members that may engage either ot two segments and only two otwhich may simultaneouslj7 engage one of them but certain others ot whichmay not simultaneously engage it.

t A switch comprising two adjacent conducting segments, terminal membersrespectively engaging the said segments. and three unequally spacedterminal members that may engage either of the two segments, all ot thelast mentioned terminal members normally engaging one ot said twosegments.

5. A switch coinprising adjacent conducting segments, terminal membersrespectively engaging the said segments, and other nnequally spacedterminal members that .may engage either oi two segments, all ot thelast mentioned terminal members normally engaging one of said twosegments but only two of them simultaneously engaging the other segment.

G. A switch comprising adj aceut conducting segments, terminal membersrespectively engaging the said segments, and other terminal members thatmay engage either ot' two segments and are unequally spaced apart.

7. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, one of which isprovidei'l with a lateral extension that projects into a correspondinglateral recess in the other, three side-by-side terminal members, theouter terminal members respectively engaging the said segments and theother being adapted to engage either of two of said segments, and otherterminal members unequally spaced apart from the inner terminal memberand. also adapted to engage either oit said segments.

8. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, one ot' which isprovided with a lateral extension that projects into a correspondinglateral recess in the other, terminal members respectively engaging thesaid segments, and other unequally spaced terminal members that may beengaged by either oit two segments.

9. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, one of which isprovided with a lateral extension that projects into a correspondinglateral recess in the other, terminal members respectively engaging thesaid segments, and other uneqnally spaced terminal members normallyengaging the recessed segment but located in the path of movement of theextension of the other segment.

l0. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, one of which isprovided with a lateral extension that projects into a correspondinglateral recess in the other, terminal members respectively engaging thesaid segments, and other uneqnally spaced terminal members that may beengaged by either of two ot said segments but only two of which may besimultaneously engaged by one of them.

11. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, one of which isprovided with a lateral extension that projects into a correspondinglateral recess in the other, terminal members respectively engaging thesaid segments, and other terminal members that may be engaged by eitherof two of said segments and certain of which are spaced apart a distanceless than the width ot' the aid segment extension.

l2. A switch comprising adjacent conducting segments, one of which isprovided 'j minal members-respectively engaging the` with a lateralextension that projectsinto a kcorresponding lateral recess in theother, tersaid segments, and other terminal .members that may be engagedby either oftwo of said segments and certain of which are spaced apart adistance less than the width of the said segment extension while certainothers are spaced apart a distance greater than Vsaid width. f A

18. The .combination with a polyphase circuit, and an instrument,'of aswitch comf arising ad'acent ,conductin se ments connectionsrespectively between the said segments and the instrument,y and terminalY members thatl may Vbe engaged by either of ments and the instrument,Vand terminal members that may be engaged by either of two segments andare respectively associated by. connection with different phases of theVsaid circuit, certain of said A'terminal members being arranged tosimultaneously vengage one of said' segments. n

15. A'The combination with "a polyphase circuit, and an instrument, ofaswitch comprising two adjacent but insulated conducting segments,connections respectively between the said segments Vand the instrument,and terminal members that may be engaged by either of two segments andareV respectively associated by connection with diiierent phases of thesaid circuit, certain of said terminal members being arranged tosimultaneously engage one of said segments while certain others are soarranged that they may not simultaneously engage' the said segment.

16. A switch comprising conducting segments having adjacent edges ofirregular contour, means making continuous connections with the saidsegments, terminal members that may either singly or simultaneouslyengage each of said segments, and another terminal member that mayengage either of two segments butv cannot engage Vone of themsimultaneously with the aforesaid` members.

17. A switch comprising conducting segments having stepped adjacentedges, means making connections respectively with the said segments,.and three terminal members that may engage either of two segments butonly two of which' may engage one of the segments simultaneously.

18. A switch comprising conducting segments having stepped adjacentedges, means making connections respectively with the said segments, andterminal members certain of which may simultaneously engage either oftwo segments and another'of which l may not engage one of the segmentssimultalously with the aforesaid members. Y

'19. A switch comprisinga plurality of adjacent conducting segments,means for:

making connections respectively to the said segments', and threeterminal members that Y may engage each ot said segments separately butonly two of which may simultaneously engage one of them.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st dayof June,

. y HARGLD W. BROWN. Witnesses:

M. E. EDEN, B. B. Hines.

Copies of this patent maybe-obtained for ive cents each, by addressing"ythe Commissioner of Patents, y

l Washington, D. C.

